Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Republican President Edgar Lungu
Republican President Edgar Lungu has pardoned five hundred and two (502) convicted prisoners on the occasion to commemorate Christmas Day.
President Lungu, in exercise of his Prerogative of Mercy pursuant to Article 59 (d) of the Constitution of Zambia, CAP 1 of the Laws of Zambia, has signed the Order of Release.
The pardoned inmates who include two prisoners aged 75 and 83 are serving various jail sentences at different prisons across the country.
The President’s special amnesty has been extended to various prisons in all the country’s 10 provinces with Copperbelt Province having the biggest number of 151, Central Province 72, Lusaka 19, Southern 42, North Western 29, Northern 44, Muchinga 24, Western 17, Luapula 35, and Eastern 69.
President Lungu says he has decided to extend a hand of mercy and compassion to people in jail in various prisons countrywide in order to avail them an opportunity to reform and return to normal society.
He says it is his sincere hope that the recipients of this pardon will do their very best to contribute to society positively, as a way of paying back for the mercy that society has shown to them.
Meanwhile, the President has called on the people of Zambia to find time to spend with their families and if they can to extend their help to the needy in society.
He has urged Zambians to join him in reflecting on the meaning of life as individuals and collectively as a nation in the collective spirit of promoting the cherished One Zambia One Nation motto which knows no tribal barriers, no religious divide and indeed no other divisive tendencies.
President Lungu says this is time to ensure that as the nation celebrates the birth and life of the Saviour Jesus Christ, they should do so responsibly, caring for one another, respecting one another and importantly those who have, extending their hand of assistance to those who don’t have.
And the Head of State has said the nation should know, the year 2015 which is coming to pass has had its own challenges and opportunities.
He says there is need to expand on the opportunities and learn to live as one nation, united as one Christian family.